At the National Automatic Merchandising Association's OneShow resides a vending machine by Pepsi with the words “BE SOCIAL” printed above a picture of a Diet Pepsi bottle canoodling a regular Pepsi bottle. One might think PepsiCo is trying to get people to make out with their soda, but no! It's worse -- PepsiCo is trying to cash in on the social networking movement. This particular vending machine is a Social Vending System, which is a vending machine that allows customers to connect with friends by gifting drinks with a push of a touchscreen button. PepsiCo explains:
"Using digital technology, PepsiCo's Social Vending System enables any user to gift a friend by selecting a beverage and entering the recipient's name, mobile number and a personalized text message. There's also the option to further personalize the gift with a short video recorded right at the machine. The gift is delivered with a system code and instructions to redeem it at any PepsiCo Social Vending system. When the recipient redeems their gift, they're given the option of either thanking the original sender with a gift of their own or paying it forward and gifting a beverage to another friend." [1] Better still is the “Random Acts of Refreshment” feature, which allows customers to purchase drinks for strangers around the world. “[A] consumer could send a symbol of encouragement someone in a city that has experienced challenging weather, or a congratulatory beverage to a student at a university that just won a championship.” [1] Nothing like congratulating someone by upping their risk of diabetes. Clearly this machine is to compete with Coca-Cola's customizable machines, the Coca-Cola Freestyle, which allow customers to choose from over 100 different beverage choices and flavor combinations. Along with soda, the machines offer waters, juices, teas and sparkling drinks. [2] Pick your poison: sharable Pepsi machines or customizable Coke machines? According to Techland [3], there's only one machine at the OneShow, so, uh, where does the gifted pop go? [1] http://www.pepsico.com/PressRelease/PepsiCo-Introduces-Social-Vending-System-the-Next-Generation-in-Interactive-Vend04272011.html[2] http://www.inquisitr.com/30239/bored-with-cola-flavored-coke/[3] http://techland.time.com/2011/04/27/pepsi-finally-invents-the-social-vending-machine-finally/
Overview
At the National Automatic Merchandising Association's OneShow resides a vending machine by Pepsi with the words “BE SOCIAL” printed above a picture of a Diet Pepsi bottle canoodling a regular Pepsi bottle. One might think PepsiCo is trying to get people to make out with their soda, but no! It's worse -- PepsiCo is trying to cash in on the social networking movement. This particular vending machine is a Social Vending System, which is a vending machine that allows customers to connect with friends by gifting drinks with a push of a touchscreen button. PepsiCo explains:
"Using digital technology, PepsiCo's Social Vending System enables any user to gift a friend by selecting a beverage and entering the recipient's name, mobile number and a personalized text message. There's also the option to further personalize the gift with a short video recorded right at the machine. The gift is delivered with a system code and instructions to redeem it at any PepsiCo Social Vending system. When the recipient redeems their gift, they're given the option of either thanking the original sender with a gift of their own or paying it forward and gifting a beverage to another friend." [1]
Better still is the “Random Acts of Refreshment” feature, which allows customers to purchase drinks for strangers around the world. “[A] consumer could send a symbol of encouragement someone in a city that has experienced challenging weather, or a congratulatory beverage to a student at a university that just won a championship.” [1] Nothing like congratulating someone by upping their risk of diabetes.
Clearly this machine is to compete with Coca-Cola's customizable machines, the Coca-Cola Freestyle, which allow customers to choose from over 100 different beverage choices and flavor combinations. Along with soda, the machines offer waters, juices, teas and sparkling drinks. [2] Pick your poison: sharable Pepsi machines or customizable Coke machines?
According to Techland [3], there's only one machine at the OneShow, so, uh, where does the gifted pop go?
[1] http://www.pepsico.com/PressRelease/PepsiCo-Introduces-Social-Vending-System-the-Next-Generation-in-Interactive-Vend04272011.html[2] http://www.inquisitr.com/30239/bored-with-cola-flavored-coke/[3] http://techland.time.com/2011/04/27/pepsi-finally-invents-the-social-vending-machine-finally/
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